Operation HOPE - Banking on Our Future - at Sonoma Flowery School

Operation HOPE - Banking on Our Future - at Sonoma Flowery School

As part of its ongoing commitment to financial education, Union Bank together with its partners at nonprofit Operation HOPE and Boys & Girls Clubs of Sonoma Valley celebrated the latest class of financially literate elementary school students at Flowery Elementary School in Sonoma. The five-week Banking on Our Future course was taught by Union Bank volunteers Molly Fedorchak and Robin Gold and culminated with a recognition ceremony to recognize the students’ completion of the program in early December.

The Banking on Our Future curriculum features the Basics of Budgeting, Get Smart About Banking (Checking and Saving Accounts), Fundamentals of Credit, and Introduction to Savings and Investing, as well as “A Course in Dignity.” Each week students learned practical lessons by using hands-on calculations and real-world examples.

“At Union Bank, we believe financial literacy is an important life skill at any age,” said Union Bank Vice President and Senior Communications Officer Molly Fedorchak. “It’s always so rewarding to know that the skills we’re teaching these kids could stay with them for a lifetime – that’s why we’re so passionate about this program.”

“The skills these children learn are the building blocks for a strong financial future,” said Boys & Girls Clubs of Sonoma Valley Chief Executive Officer Robert Hughes. “We are proud of what we’ve been able to achieve together with Union Bank and Operation HOPE to bring the Banking on Our Future curriculum to students at our Club.”

Since 2011, Union Bank has partnered with Operation HOPE at a dozen Boys & Girls Clubs, reaching more than 300 youth.

“The Banking on Our Future program is a great way for students to learn about finance with age-appropriate lessons. We hope to help them make responsible financial choices in the future,” said Operation HOPE Youth Empowerment Program Manager Brenda Johnson.

Banking on Our Future was designed to elevate the dignity, hope, and economic self-sufficiency of people in low-wealth communities through financial empowerment. Since its inception, the program has reached more than 790,000 students in more than 700 schools and community-based organizations in the U.S. and South Africa.